Assessment of Household Food Insecurity and its Association with Mental Distress Among Pregnant Women Presenting in Tertiary Care Hospital, Lahore: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Food insecurity affects millions of individuals worldwide, including pregnant women, compromising their health and well-being. Adequate nutrition during pregnancy is crucial for the mother's and fetus's health. Despite its significance, food insecurity's impact on pregnant women's mental health is understudied. Objectives: The objective of the study was to determine the prevalence of food insecurity during pregnancy among women presenting in a Tertiary Health Care Hospitals and its association with mental distress. Methods: The present cross-sectional study was conducted on 83 pregnant women who visited Lady Aitchison and Lady Willingdon (Tertiary Health Care Hospitals) during their gestation period in 2024. The questionnaire was designed based on SRQ20 scale for mental distress and the HFIAS scale for food insecurity used by Mulusew G. Jebena et al. in Ethiopia. Results: Of the 83 women enrolled in the study, overall, 68.6% (n=57) experienced food insecurity & about 31.3% (n=26) reported to have food security during pregnancy. There were no significant relationships between food insecurity with age, residence, income, no. of family members. There was a significant relation of food insecurity and mental distress between the study participants. From the 68.6% (n=57) food insecure participants 56.1% (n=32) felt distressed during pregnancy (p<0.012). Conclusions: This study highlights the alarming rise of food insecurity amongst pregnant women & its interconnection with mental distress. The findings emphasize the need for integrated interventions addressing food insecurity and mental health. By tackling food insecurity, we can promote healthier pregnancies and brighter futures.